Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Insulin degludec / insulin aspart
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Systemic hydrocortisone raises blood glucose by increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance. Insulin requirements can rise, and glucose control may worsen, particularly with higher or prolonged dosing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism through glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased gluconeogenesis.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently and increase insulin doses as needed. Reduce insulin again when the corticosteroid is tapered or stopped to avoid hypoglycemia.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Insulin degludec / insulin aspart?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Systemic hydrocortisone raises blood glucose by increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance. Insulin requirements can rise, and glucose control may worsen, particularly with higher or prolonged dosing.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose more frequently and increase insulin doses as needed. Reduce insulin again when the corticosteroid is tapered or stopped to avoid hypoglycemia.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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